Saturday, March 19, 2016

I awoke to a new sound this morning. . .one I realized I've missed for months. . .The morning SONGS of our feathery friends. . .and the soft cooing of the dove family who nest on the porch close to my window. . .Such WELCOMED SOUNDS. . .Such a WELCOMED SEASON. . .NEW BEGINNINGS all around. . .I can hardly wait to get barefoot and in the garden. . .and put Old Man Winter behind me. . .

I learned to treadle about eight years ago. . .Our collection was getting so large and the machines were so lovely that I decided I wanted to learn how to use them. . .Lots of trials and errors before I got the rhythm down. . .Once I did, I LOVED it. . .

I still laugh at myself, thinking back to those 'learning days'. . .of how I was so clueless that I spent hours one day trying to figure out how to backstitch. . .I looked at--and tried--every knob and lever. . .I tried to treadle backwards. . .Then I made a phone call to a friend who had told me that she remembered her Mom sewing on a treadle. . .She got a real 'belly laugh' because of me. . .'Treadles don't backstitch! They're OLD'. . .Who knew? . .Obviously. . .not me.

When you think about it, ladies in the 19th and early 20th centuries were probably glad they no longer had to sew everything by hand. . .THANKFUL FOR SMALL FAVORS. . .

When I set my mind to something, I don't give up easy. . .Since I had no instructions. . .no book (at the time). . .and my patience grew thin. . .I searched the net for information. . .Eight years ago there was very little in how-to treadle, as there is now. . .It was John who found an old treadle machine manual that was a God-send. . .Gradually. . .very gradually. . .I began to get the hang of it. . .falling in love with the process that in the end, wasn't that hard. . .I was making it too technical.

I think treadling is as much a feeling--a calming rhythm--in the soul as much as it is mechanical. . . There is nothing like the hum of the treadle at work. . .It's relaxing. . .believe it or not. . .There's something basic and comforting in it. . .

That may be the difference in my love of treadles and John's. . .Mine is of the heart. . .His is in the simple mechanics of it. . .but both of us have a deep appreciation of them.

I make many of my quilt tops on the old machines. . .The vintage treadles are so heavy and strong and make the most beautiful stitches. . .much finer (in my opinion) than any of the newer electric sewing machines.

Soon we'll be displaying at least fifteen Treadle Sewing Machines from various manufacturers. . .Visitors will be able to try their hand (or foot) at treadling. . .so I began to work with a few graphics for ads. . .I intended to make a couple. . .then it was another and another. . .There was no stopping me. . .I made many more than I'm sharing. . .

I plan. . .one day. . .in my spare time (wink). . .to demonstrate on a post what I've learned about sewing with a treadle machine. . .practical advise. . .as well as more of my Vintage Sewing Machine Collection. . .Those posts will be at DUNCAN FARMSTEAD since they are so connected to the past. . .And there's a possibility that John may sell a few treadle sewing machines in working order, too. . .Lots of good things to come. . .in VINTAGE SEWING and COLLECTIONS. . .Be sure to STAY TOONED. . . .It will be fun. . .

Friday, March 4, 2016

There are 42 ladies involved in the program who have created and sold about 200 rugs, 20 sets of placemats and a few hand bags.We are presently working on an order of 480 rugs!!!! The materials used for weaving is recycle strips of fabric from local tailors.

This is the first time these ladies have done something for themselves and their earnings is allowing them to send their children to school, attend to medical difficulties but most of all is giving them confidence and empowerment. . .

Since they received the additional 33 RAG RUG LOOMS, these ladies have been weaving Rag Rugs like crazy. . .

They finished the year with great success. . . making more than 350 rugs additional rugs by the middle of December. . .Is this not INSPIRING?

If you missed the original post about theladies of the CREATING WITH THREADS PROJECT and the heart-warming story of 6 year old HELIMA who weaves and sells placemats so that she is able to attend school. . . CLICK HERE

I can't tell you how thrilled John and I are to have been a part of this project. . .It's amazing how four little pieces of wood have made such a difference in people's lives. . .When we originally started making the looms, we were hoping organizations would benefit. . .especially the youth organizations such as SCOUTS and 4-H. . .never dreaming how far-reaching the craft would go. . .Thanks to Marta and her foresight, the LADIES OF YOLA are bettering their lives. . .I think I can speak for all of us in. . .